MEET THE WORLD'S TOP HEMP MARKETER
The purpose of this post is to not only introduce you to Tyler Hemp, the world’s top hemp marketer and hemp branding expert, but to give you a solid overview of how to market your hemp products in a saturated and confusing hemp marketplace.
Okay so for full transparence, I’m actually the one writing this article. They call me Tyler Hemp, but the name I was given to wear this lifetime is Tyler Hoff.
This is not the place to go into my life story, as the story I want to tell is about YOU, and your hemp visions and dream. This post is meant to give you hope, inspiration and practical wisdom on how I have been able to survive and thrive in the hemp industry for over 18 years.
I will share a little bit more about my journey in the hemp industry, but in the context of giving you some golden-green nuggets that will help you continue to grow your hemp brand and sell more of your hemp products.
Well, I do play music, so I guess this is what you call tooting my own horn. I admit that I’m the most passionate, enthusiastic hemptrepreneur (hemp entrepreneur) and hemp marketer you’ll ever meet.
At a very young age (about twelve) I started twisting hemp twine into bracelets, necklaces and macromé type things, and being raised in Southern California, I was aware of what recreational cannabis was, with the scent of it wafting in the air as I rode my skateboard down the boardwalk in Newport Beach.
But it wasn’t until I was seventeen years of age when I had my light bulb moment.
The minute I realized that this one plant could provide food, shelter and clothing, I put all my chips in, and decided that I wanted to be a hemptrepreneur.
I realized that in order for me to make the biggest positive impact and transform as many lives for the better, I was going to use hemp as my vehicle.
So I assume we have that in common, and that’s why you’re here. You want to transform people’s lives, and make the world a better place with hemp, and for that I am so thankful.
I will do my best to impart some knowledge, so that you can go out there and change people’s lives with the hemp products you’re bringing to the market, and make a healthy abundant living doing what you love, because you deserve that.
Understanding the Power of Hemp Marketing
You might think marketing is marketing. But when it comes to marketing a hemp company or hemp product, there are some nuanced subtleties that can make all the difference. How’d you like those two big words I just used? Makes me look smart right? I know; I try. But I promise not to use too many more big words.
Being that you’re in the hemp industry you know that running a hemp business comes with its specific challenges.
So being creative with your marketing strategy is essential.
Of course marketing any business is the lifeblood of the company. But many hemp entrepreneurs don’t realize this.
So why is marketing so important and what is it exactly?
What is marketing?
Marketing is a very simple concept, although it may not be the easiest thing to do.
Marketing is the process and execution of: finding a need and fulfilling it.
So marketing is actually quite altruistic. Shoot there’s another big word. Anyway, marketing is made up of several elements and has a lot of moving parts.
Most people, when they hear the word marketing, they think of what? You got it, advertising.
Advertising is one small aspect of all the elements that fall under the marketing umbrella.
I actually like to think of marketing as all the things that you do to find the people who have what you offer, and consistently getting in front of them, while making it as easy as possible to give you money, in exchange for the solution you have to their problems.
So let’s identify some of the other aspects of running and marketing a hemp company.
You’ve got branding, sales, customer support, social media, content creation, live events and networking, among other things.
All of those things are a part of marketing your hemp company.
When you’re just starting out however, there are a few things you can do first that will help move the needle up, and generate the traffic, leads and sales that you need to keep your ship afloat.
Overcoming Hemp Marketing Challenges
Overcoming the marketing challenges in the hemp industry requires creativity, thinking outside the hempnosis and being innovative in your approach.
Here are five creative ways to tackle the challenges that most hemp companies are faced with when attempting to market their products or services:
Storytelling through Video Content: Create compelling video content that tells the story of your hemp company, from seed to shelf. Highlight the journey of your products, showcase the people behind the scenes, and share the positive impact of your products on your customers’ lives. This storytelling approach can help build trust and emotional connections with your audience. Remember to do your best to show the before and after state of your customers, and show the transformation that your products help them experience.
Interactive Educational Platforms: Develop interactive online platforms such as webinars, workshops, or virtual tours that educate consumers about the benefits and uses of your hemp products or services. Allow participants to ask questions in real-time and engage with experts to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding hemp and the hemp industry.
Data-Driven Personalization: Utilize data analytics to understand your target audience’s preferences and behaviors. Use this information to personalize your marketing campaigns, suggesting products and solutions that align with each customer’s interests. This personalized approach can enhance customer engagement and increase conversion rates.
Regulation-Friendly Social Media Engagement: While strict regulations might limit hemp marketing on traditional social media platforms, consider creating a community-driven platform or app specifically designed for hemp enthusiasts and specifically for your customers. This platform can facilitate discussions, product reviews, and educational content, allowing users to engage without the constraints of mainstream social media rules.
Collaborative Sustainability Campaigns: Partner with other eco-conscious brands, non-profits, or environmental organizations for joint sustainability campaigns. Create initiatives that promote sustainable practices, such as plastic reduction, carbon neutrality, or reforestation. These collaborations can amplify your brand’s message and showcase your commitment to both the environment and your customers.
Remember that each creative solution should be tailored to your specific brand identity, target audience, and marketing goals. By thinking outside the box and addressing challenges with innovation, you can differentiate your hemp company and achieve greater success in the market.
Unconventional Marketing Tactics for hemp companies
Here are 13 Unconventional ways that I’ve been able to implement over the years with different hemp companies, to boost their popularity, traffic and sales so we can create a paradigm shift together with hemp:
Educational Hemp Workshops & Seminars: Host workshops or seminars (or online webinars) about the benefits of your hemp products, covering topics like sustainability, health benefits, and industrial applications. Position your company as an industry thought leader by providing valuable information to your audience.
Collaborations with Influencers and Hemp Experts: Partner with individuals who are well-respected in fields related to hemp, such as CBD and wellness companies, sustainability, or holistic health. Their endorsement can lend credibility to your products and bring their followers to your brand.
Pop-Up Events: Organize pop-up events in high-traffic areas like farmers’ markets, festivals, or even urban street corners. Create an immersive experience where attendees can sample your products, learn about hemp’s versatility, and engage with your brand and hemp company.
Art Installations or Interactive Displays: Create eye-catching art installations or interactive displays that showcase the various uses of hemp, from textiles to building materials. This can attract attention and spark conversations about your hemp products and help spread the good word about agricultural hemp.
Hemp-based Culinary Experiences: Collaborate with chefs to create unique dining experiences featuring hemp-infused dishes. This approach can highlight the culinary potential of hemp while educating consumers about its nutritional benefits and opening them up to all the other amazing possibilities.
Eco-Friendly Guerrilla Marketing: Use eco-friendly materials (like hemp paper) to create guerrilla marketing campaigns that align with hemp’s sustainable image. For instance, use chalk art, biodegradable stickers, or plantable seed paper to spread your message in a creative and environmentally-conscious way.
Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences: Develop VR experiences that take users on a journey through hemp fields, processing facilities, and even historical contexts. This can be an immersive way to educate and engage your potential customers.
User-Generated Content Contests: Encourage customers to create and share their own content related to your hemp products. Host contests where participants can submit videos, photos, or stories, and offer prizes for the most creative and engaging entries.
Subscription Box with a Twist: Create a subscription box service that delivers curated hemp-related products to customers or a bundle of your products. Offer surprises and unique items in each box to keep subscribers excited and engaged.
Charitable Partnerships: Align your brand with a cause that resonates with your target audience and helps the hemp industry or a noble cause. Donate a portion of your profits to relevant organizations or participate in community service projects that reflect your brand values.
Hemp-Centric Podcast or Web Series: Start a podcast or web series focused on all things hemp. Interview experts, share industry insights, and discuss the latest trends, positioning your brand as a go-to source for hemp-related information.
Limited-Edition Collaborations: Partner with artists, designers, or other brands to create limited-edition products featuring hemp materials in unique and different way. These collaborations can generate buzz and attract consumers interested in unique and exclusive items.
Sensory Branding Experiences: Develop immersive sensory experiences that allow customers to touch, smell, and experience hemp materials in innovative ways. This could be through textured packaging, scented inserts, or interactive displays that incorporate your products or hemp materials in general.
Remember that unconventional marketing tactics should align with your brand’s identity, values, and target audience. It’s important to be creative while also maintaining authenticity and relevance to ensure that these tactics resonate with your potential customers.
Is Brand STRATEGY & Identity a Part of Marketing Your Hemp Company
You betcha! Brand Strategy and Brand Identity are are extremely powerful when it comes to creating a consistent memorable experience for your customers.
Just think about, whenever you see a clothing item from Patagonia, or an advertisement from Geico, you know exactly what brand you’re looking at.
And don’t be disheartened thinking that you have to have millions of dollars before you can invest in your branding. With just a little bit of education and some important questions you can gain clarify on how to position your brand and products in the marketplace.
What's the difference between branding and marketing?
Marketing is the process of finding the right market and selling your product to the people that have a problem or need your product solves, and developing strategies to sell products, especially in the short term.
Branding is the process of creating an emotional connection with your ideal customers, while making it very clear why your product is the best choice for them, and etching a position in their minds, and doing this consistently over a long period of time.
Although I would say that marketing is more important than branding, a solid marketing strategy includes a brand strategy and solid brand identity system.
Marketing is all about targeting the right audience at the right time with the right message and offer, while branding is the way you communicate and how you differentiate your product or service from the other options on the market. So you can see that both are essential to growing your hemp business and creating loyal repeat customers.
If you need a little more insight and help with your branding check out our 5 minute Brand Guide for hemp entrepreneurs here.
Schedule a Free Marketing or Branding Call with Tyler Hemp now!
We are here to help you succeed. We believe that hemp is the most essential solution to solving the worlds issues as it relates to food, shelter, clothing, energy, plastics, medicine and fuel.
And we cannot do this alone. Our mission is align with conscious hemp entrepreneurs like you, who have a vision and a dream to empower people with their hemp products, so that we can experience a paradigm shift in consciousness.
We all deserve to live healthier, happier more abundant lives, and that’s why we are dedicated to your success. With nearly two decades of experience offering digital marketing and branding services to the hemp industry we are perfectly positioned to help you clarify your message and market you products effectively, so you can make a difference a dollar.
Set up a free discovery call with my today so I can learn more about what inspired you to start a hemp company, or work for a hemp company, and let’s see what we can do to help you stand out in a crowded market and increase your traffic, leads and sales.
Let’s make it hempen.
